Living Space

Decorating an assisted living apartment

Living Space August 13, 2019

Whether you are moving into an assisted living apartment or have a relative or family member who is, there are some decorating guidelines that can help you create an attractive living space. Trying to recreate a loved one’s home at an assisted living center isn’t practical, but with some minor tweaks you can decorate in a way that feels fresh, yet homey and familiar.

Space

One of the decorating considerations of an assisted living apartment is the down-sized space. This makes it more of a challenge when moving large items from home such as sofas and dressers. Another concern is space to move in the new apartment.

For example, look for round tables versus square. Round tables, when placed in high-traffic areas, take up less room and are safer than sharp corners. It’s vital that there is also plenty of floor space to walk in comfortably; space that allows ease of access for walkers or wheelchairs in both the bedroom and the living room.

Familiarity

When selecting furniture, try to bring a key piece for each room to create a familiar feeling. In the bedroom, the bed is typically the piece that’s the focal point, and having that piece of furniture goes a long way to feeling at home. However, if space doesn’t allow it, look at other pieces of furniture that you can bring, such as a small chest or a chair.

In the living room, bring a favorite chair and side table if possible. Lamps are also an easy (and space-saving!) way to add familiarity to the room. Hand-select a few key items that are the most meaningful to place as accessories in the living room and bedroom. Watch that the tabletops aren’t too crowded with knickknacks. Simply having a few select pieces, pictures and accessories from home is often all that’s needed to make the room feel like as home.

Lighting

In any room design, good lighting is key. However, for seniors it’s essential. Make sure there’s good task lighting at the chair for reading and hobbies. A floor lamp is a great addition next to a chair. It frees up space on the side table, yet brings brighter, elevated light that helps with reading and working on tasks. Make sure to include bright bulbs for bedside tables as well. Adding a nightlight in the bedroom and living room also makes nighttime movement safer and easier.

Decor

While it’s tempting to try to recreate a loved one’s home in an assisted living apartment or studio, downsizing often won’t permit all the furniture. So selecting those significant pieces is essential. At this stressful time, focus on decorating around those key pieces. Your loved one might have fun and enjoy picking out some new accessories, such as new bedding and linens, new lamps or artwork. Making it fun for your loved ones to refresh their space can often help them make the transition from home to assisted living more enjoyable.

About Living Space

Kathryn Weber has written her column, Living Space, for several years and approaches interior decorating and organization with a distinctly Eastern influence.

Trained in feng shui, Weber has been applied this classical Chinese design system for 20 years as a professional consultant. She writes the e-zine The Red Lotus Letter, one of the most popular resources about feng shui on the Web, which is dedicated to making this esoteric, millennia-old practice more approachable and down-to-earth.

Weber’s design philosophy is that every space is a living space, and that home should be approached in a thoughtful manner. Our homes serve as our foundation, she believes, and they should make our life better, more comfortable and attractive. Good design makes the homeowner more productive and happier.

In both Living Space and her e-zine, Weber focuses on tips and information aimed at the needs of our fast-paced world. Kathryn has been featured in national and international publications such as “Seventeen,” “First for Women,” “Faces,” “Conceive,” “Natural Health,” “Martial Arts Professional,” and “Asia Pool and Spa” magazines, as well as on national radio. She is a popular speaker at industry events.

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